Looking for a good quality metric/sae tap and die set. I've been eye balling the ratcheting gearwrench set, anyone else have it? Does anyone else make a ratcheting tap and die set?

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Brando

Well, I'd still like to hear opinions...but I couldn't pass up this deal at Amazon.com

$162.99 + FREE SHIPPING

Special Offer: Use promotional code ALLTOOLS at checkout to get $25 back when you spend $150

Special Offer: For a limited time, get an instant 10% discount on any Hand Tool or Power Tool Accessory sold by Amazon.com.

I got $41.30 off the regular price, and the final price shipped was $121.69. Can't even beat that with my brothers NAPA discount...sells for over $200 there. Don't ask me how they do it, but if you're looking for a tap and die set...might want to take advantage of this deal. I love GearWrench/KD tools--innovative ideas make the job much easier.

TOC Admin
Brando

nice brando, tap & die set is very useful. What are you going to use it on first?

engine block.

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Brando

I just got it today....was on backorder for quite a while....looks great though. Very nice kit, includes metric/sae gauges...very handy. The adapters also work in my gearratchet set (Vortex sockets) if I needed a little more torque.

TOC Admin
Brando

If you are going to use it on an engine block, is it to chase threads? If so, I would get a thread chaser instead. Taps can remove material, making the threads weaker.

Good buy on the TD set. I think my Snap-On was 220 for standard, the same for metric.

You have a link to thread chasers? I found a universal thread chaser...outside, for bolt threads. Nothing for inside threads though (except for spark plug chasers)....they just look like taps? I searched thread chaser and came up with tap and die set....

Wow...$440 for a complete tap and die set? how many pieces total?

TOC Admin
Brando

I found this....

Don't know if those are proper sizes for my block...

EDIT: according to NAPA the head bolts are 7/16"-14 so I guess it would work.

Is this really worth it? That's almost the price of my entire 75 piece tap and die set

TOC Admin
Brando

Heres the links for both my tap and die sets, and for a thread chaser... Both standard and metric

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp ... ir=catalog

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp ... ir=catalog

Thats the TD sets.... heres a thread chaser

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp ... ir=catalog

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp ... ir=catalog

And this is what I use to chase threads...

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp ... ir=catalog

Its actually a "thread restorer", but it doesnt take out any material, so thats what I like about it.

Andrew

Also, ARP and NAPA carry thread chasers of a different style-

Thread chasers are worth it IMO. You wouldnt want a head bolt pulling the threads out of the block.

The purpose, as you know, is to clean the threads, not to alter them.

The SAE part of that snap on kit looks exactly like the Summit pieces...

TOC Admin
Brando

Of what? The thread chaser, or the Tap and Die? The tap and die is different from what I have seen...

The thread chaser could very well be the same, but if you break it, they dont warranty it.

My T & D set is by Irwin/Hanson.



NC and NF only, up to ½", plus one ⅛" NP tap. I acquired my other NPs as I needed them. Haven't yet, had any reason to use anything metric.

I have never used anything but a used tap, or die, to chase threads. My bottoming taps were made by grinding the taper off them.


Why?


How would threads be altered by using the same tool that originally cut them?

Norm

I wish I could remember where I read it, but a tap can actually remove material, since it is a cutter. Its not going to remove alot, but it could remove enough. A used tap isnt so much of a problem, b/c it has been worn some, and wouldnt be as likely to remove material in a pre existing hole.

A tool designed to cut threads is alot different than a tool designed to clean/chase them.

Ive experienced this too, by chasing some head bolt holes on a single cylinder briggs and stratton, and then attempting to torque the head. The threads pulled out before proper torque was achieved...

Doesn't matter, I agree it can.

"Can" is not the same as "does" or "will". The more experienced the user, the less chance it will happen.


If it was not properly used, that same tap could have produced the same result during the original cut.

It would take an unusual obstruction to cause it to go off track. The user should "feel" the difference and know there is a problem, before the damage has started.


Not much difference. Both are capable of the same damage when improperly used.


And it does a better job at both.


Was it the tap's fault?

Norm